Crime is a feature of social life in every community and society throughout the world. As the behaviours that are regarded as crime, and the types of criminal behaviour committed constantly change, the need for criminal justice related agencies and governments to understand crime and how to reduce it continues to rise. This course will help you gain the skills and knowledge you need for a future career working with offenders, victims, criminal and social justice organisations or advising organisations on the steps they can take to reduce crime.

You’ll study a wide spectrum of criminal behaviour, from petty theft through to state-sponsored terrorism. And you’ll be encouraged to investigate ways to reduce the crime rate, and assess the effect of organisations within the criminal justice system, such as the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

How will you learn?

• This course uses a range of teaching methods to engage and inspire you. You’ll have the chance to hear from guest speakers such as police officers, drug outreach workers or criminal justice staff.
• You’ll take part in debates about the latest issues, such as why people commit crime, how to stop crime, and how to prevent people being victimised. You’ll also have the opportunity to investigate some fascinating topics such as sexual offending, cyber and environmental crime.
• You’ll be taught by tutors who have a wide range of research specialisms and knowledge of the issues involved in criminology today. They’ll engage you in debates, and give you a good picture of what it’s like in the real world.
• Many tutors have worked in the criminal justice system or the voluntary sector, and they’ll use their expertise to give you practical examples of the work you could end up doing.
• In your second year you’ll complete a compulsory work placement. Previous students have worked with youth offending teams, in prisons, police stations and courts as well as in voluntary agencies supporting offenders and victims in the community.
• You could also study abroad for a term in your second year.

Placements

This course includes a compulsory work placement module in the second year. You will be expected to undertake at least 30 hours of work placement during that year. The module is designed to enhance your academic and personal development through work experience that shapes your key skills and increases your confidence for future employability.

Your placement module tutor will be on hand to support you in finding suitable placement opportunities. They will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your placement so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the experience that employers value so highly.

Previous placement providers have included youth offending teams, prisons, police stations and courts as well as in voluntary agencies that provide support to adult and juvenile offenders and victims in the community.

Your Career

Previous Huddersfield Criminology graduates have gone on to roles relating to education, social services, healthcare, legal, research and military and protective services in organisations including Lancashire Constabulary, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Probation Trust, Offploy C.I.C, the National Probation Service, Her Majesty Prison Service Leeds, Private Prison Service, Wakefield Prison, NHS, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust, YMCA, Warrington Community Living, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Active Social Care, British Transport Police, Calderdale Council, Leeds City Council, Kirklees Council, the UK Ministry of Justice, HSBC.**